[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6610410,"mediaKeyId","2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2","parentId",2904477,"title","Henrico board backs water and sewer rate increases; staff cites infrastructure and resilience needs amid public concern over fluoridation and costs","audioSeconds",2362,"startMs",8780000,"endMs",11142000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2&start=8780&end=11142","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2/thumbnail_8780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610410/Henrico-County/Virginia/Henrico-board-backs-water-and-sewer-rate-increases-staff-cites-infrastructure-and-resilience-needs-amid-public-concern-over-fluoridation-and-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610410-8485de6db891094611b746f54fc1e0c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032189&Signature=KZEJ~9P2f1SGvQ61y3LT2ryN5NiGrbNDY0VzacPmyqfE3RnDGiQI6B80NhxURJcGDVO5XA-WgXWwSPt6lIjHPb2WwnRH4r0dFjzV8me8sD3ou46whHPy6pUnN-XZsOWxhlNbwWRwgV-8kNZb6wpW1T6~YhuIQmVmJ5c6H941GZiiu0jzi-I8t52ae24vpPQj13HKZ1tEuot4oD1NCAWC4SAu~HD2ULyPUCoQWEFW54-UiT3IH1RjT1b7e5rr-i2ZrFqzASvaFsI9ImTklG2jMurynOqAlwsfRqVx936uaIv8hrUrdIcYItKxlN5lQ6tSFAQhwdPXw4mj-7pJvO1sBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Henrico County","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Henrico County supervisors on April 8 acted on an ordinance to increase bi-monthly water and sewer service and volume charges, citing operating costs, debt service and capital funding needs for renewal and resiliency projects. Staff told the board the total increase for a typical residential customer using 10 CCF of water every two months is $7.35 (roughly 12 cents per day) and would take effect July 1.

Public Utilities staff and the director of finance explained the increases support system renewal and resiliency work, including major water-main replacements and projects to improve redundancy for critical corridors such as Staples Mill, Broad Street and Monument Avenue. Staff said the county has had elevated water-main break counts in recent years (staff cited roughly 374 breaks in 2024), driven by age, soil conditions and weather extremes, and that incremental rate adjustments avoid large \"rate shock\" later.

Finance staff also described the administrative details: the county's water and sewer operation is an enterprise fund largely supported by utility charges; the general fund provides limited targeted transfers (staff referenced a roughly $6 million transfer for economic development and infill connections), but the utility fund is principally self-supporting.

The public hearing drew extended testimony. Several speakers opposed fluoridation of the water supply, linking the chemical's costs and the hiring of equipment and arguing the county had not voted on a fluoridation program; speakers asked that the county stop fluoridation to avoid the increased expense. The board and staff responded that the documented annual chemical cost for fluoride is small compared with overall chemical and system costs (staff cited an $11,000 figure for fluoride in a past year), but public comments raised broader concerns about governance, consent and costs.

Medical and scientific commenters addressed fluoride directly and urged the board to reconsider mass fluoridation. A physician who identified himself as a neurologist summarized research on systemic fluoride exposure and dental fluorosis and said topical fluoride (toothpaste) is effective without adding fluoride to public water. Several residents also said the proposed utility increases would disproportionately affect lower-income households and questioned the county's capital spending priorities.

Board members asked detailed budget and operational questions: how frequently rates had been raised historically, rationale for continuous small increases, the magnitude of water-main breaks and the county's approach to infill connections. Public Utilities staff said the proposed increases would support replacements and resilience projects and noted the county continues to pursue collaborations with the City of Richmond for long-term treatment capacity.

After the public hearing and board questions, the board recorded a motion and second to adopt the ordinance raising water and sewer rates; staff were directed to proceed with customer outreach and billing updates in advance of the July 1 effective date.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Henrico County - Board of Supervisors - Apr 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved bimonthly water and sewer charge increases (effective July 1) to fund operations, debt service and capital projects; staff cited frequent water-main breaks and resiliency work as drivers while residents raised concerns during public comment about costs and water fluoridation.","taxTitle","Henrico County, Virginia","taxId",58541,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610415,"Board approves conditional rezoning for county-owned inpatient treatment center; Pyramid Healthcare to operate detox facility",1290,8596000,9886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2&start=8596&end=9886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2/thumbnail_8596000.jpg","/articles/6610415/Henrico-County/Virginia/Board-approves-conditional-rezoning-for-county-owned-inpatient-treatment-center-Pyramid-Healthcare-to-operate-detox-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610415-c7c9ff46a99a09050349640f9bece08b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032189&Signature=Hy9VR4T4HhBhDautnD3b824oxs7mtSJlbhJopfyPKd9AFPr22RLGI8bOQDM3KOeEPGcFc9mpqCQB19pmwRP--sWKTuQ~E9ealKTzBj4ydpQ3n2zwd67Tr2CxMb1230RdQR8pgQXic95Z11swt1ATInKJ87khLuxxKEebUzo2GN9kFGwiYcnhPPvUXfG-gAiyFtMo7uJDnZe0L34pbd251uHRC4~gV1IOac~xwVThZ7HqrNoeszVEwY1764bAboK0xdSf~8qP5pEsoS~j~N~b0wv9-X4wFj4yjnOuaDcuvKWLBAmDeXyg9nV~4KfyL-tfnsX78vRaYqKL6SleGut-rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henrico County Board of Supervisors on April 8 approved a conditional rezoning that will permit development of an inpatient medical treatment facility on county-owned property at the Eastern Government Center (the former Glen Echo School site).

Planning staff described the request as a rezoning from A-1 to O-3C to allow a voluntary, secure 24-hour detoxification and treatment center with no more than 60 beds. The parcel, which the Economic Development Authority will retain ownership of, will be developed by a third party; Pyramid Healthcare is set to build and operate the facility under a separate development agreement, staff said. The proposal includes a centrally oriented patient courtyard, a secure site with a CPTED (crime-prevention-through-environmental-design) plan to be reviewed by the police chief and approved by the planning director, and a proffered six-foot opaque fence along the western property boundary.

Staff noted the property's 2026 comprehensive-plan designation of government/civic use and said the facility is consistent with the adjacent Eastern Government Center campus. The county's planning commission recommended approval following a community meeting where residents raised buffering and access questions; proffers and exhibits were provided to mitigate impacts.

Supervisor Nelson said the facility responds to county efforts that began after the county paused a proposal for a third jail and sought alternatives for people in need of addiction and behavioral-health services. Nelson credited the sheriff's office and county staff for work that led to a focus on treatment rather than expanded detention capacity. The board approved the conditional rezoning with the proffers dated Feb. 26, 2025.

The board recorded the motion and second and voted to approve the rezoning. Staff said the Economic Development Authority will continue to coordinate the project and that Pyramid Healthcare must submit the CPTED security plan and standard development agreements before construction.

","Henrico supervisors approved a conditional rezoning of county-owned land at the Eastern Government Center to allow a 24-hour, voluntary inpatient detoxification treatment facility with up to 60 beds; Pyramid Healthcare will construct and operate the center under a development agreement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610420,"Residents oppose Monahan Road warehouse; board defers Dorado Capital rezoning for further outreach",1259,6616000,7875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2&start=6616&end=7875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2/thumbnail_6616000.jpg","/articles/6610420/Henrico-County/Virginia/Residents-oppose-Monahan-Road-warehouse-board-defers-Dorado-Capital-rezoning-for-further-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610420-4f24cf9fe582f68ce50fae771db5b7f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032189&Signature=QtwsPuo4xiR72GwLM0WbuboU41SXEAF1kJc8jbP9Yx~o22o-~2PsmODDdsNVWdpcxm54cDFUSLPBVzFUNUST2mlnffZ6TSlb16gLmityIkpIHa5Tv5gjcN2nMGYaEJSGsal97sN~szbjGRzTMQzXp4KSLm97kBqJkSrXrVQYHPkcgQa4RVNO4nvRgj6wiUYJp9OUmmdXXeNl-BGbsRsW2CjSQczoYZ1pAdRjSA6KbbbJCNfS8ExGLQtS4oEZrrm8k7zNcoM5l3S1qS4wGlTSVF7LDZm8Tcr6OrduLcwkWV438ld7gwgjttOr-Pg~X8FKcvGluAhWka1fZUyCDsOvIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henrico County supervisors on April 8 deferred action on a conditional rezoning request from Dorado Capital LLC (Harsh Thacker) to convert approximately 17.5 acres near Monahan Road into a 100,000-square-foot warehouse, after several long-term Monahan Road residents described noise, lighting and traffic concerns and questioned whether the county's long-range plans properly reflected neighborhood interests.

Planning staff said the site is adjacent to Sauer Industrial Center and that the applicant proffered a conceptual plan including up to 18 loading bays on the western side, outdoor storage set to the south, a six-foot opaque fence with evergreen plantings, a transitional buffer, limits on building height (no more than 30 feet), capped lighting fixtures, restricted loading hours (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and limited construction hours. Staff noted the 2026 comprehensive plan recommends industrial uses for the area and that the planning commission recommended approval.

Several residents who gave public testimony said they are long-time Monahan Road homeowners who value the area's semi-rural character and said a new large warehouse would harm established yards, increase nighttime lighting and noise, and accelerate sprawl. Pat Meridoux, who described multi-generational ties to the area, said existing nearby warehouse activity already generates loud music and gatherings and questioned enforcement and policing. She also raised a concern about county-owned parcels with delinquent taxes that she said could facilitate future road extensions.

Applicant counsel said the proposal removed one parcel that previously had Monahan Road frontage to prevent direct access, limited loading bays to the west, and added gates, height restrictions and a 50-foot transitional buffer and landscaping along Monahan Road. The applicant said the building would be marketed speculatively and could be occupied by a single tenant or multiple tenants; the applicant added the proffers in response to public feedback.

Board members asked the applicant to continue outreach; Supervisor Nelson moved to defer the case for decision only to May 13 to allow more community engagement. The motion carried. Staff and the applicant were directed to work with Monahan Road residents and to provide additional detail to the board ahead of the May 13 decision.

","Neighbors pressed Henrico supervisors to reject or further study a proposed 100,000-square-foot warehouse rezoning near Monahan Road; the board deferred the request for decision-only consideration on May 13 after the applicant added proffers for buffering and limited hours.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610424,"Board defers Shell Brothers residential rezoning after neighbors raise stormwater and tree-preservation concerns",2163,2617000,4780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2&start=2617&end=4780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2/thumbnail_2617000.jpg","/articles/6610424/Henrico-County/Virginia/Board-defers-Shell-Brothers-residential-rezoning-after-neighbors-raise-stormwater-and-tree-preservation-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610424-8631f5dd655f4dfab68c4b1e02c4359b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032189&Signature=d1u8yCrvkjZjKzYxXQTMrHvhEiz0IZ2V4t1GqXeqDS-q2KBppqRwyfmGd-r-~o~2VgueLWKW2Z4af-TQcyA6MROedNB6UkjkxFmx4Tp5GrBDpznbeVP22JB5cF3lkhJJcC1p3C0qYDrSDjBO~cCl2IuDeHwYOWdFucXOGx8b42PmbNw5JM4-uhL9stKlyEaOcmd6C7NZCcfviroWNikQUWlbHU7Zgcx3F6nfk~8V6oS3-OH8WlBHihAFMfXwgSF5jV5F~jDFp0NDq1TVi6C9IwS1vuRlaoqDTsBeR31OJuooR2svY0tvaZLeYFIJ1HMj48BaZRV4vjrtzsK9pfaJHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Henrico County Board of Supervisors on April 8 deferred a conditional rezoning request from Shell Brothers for a nine-acre site at the northeast corner of Pouncey Tract Road and Shady Grove Road to its May 13 meeting, after area residents objected to proposed grading, a stormwater basin and what they described as insufficient tree preservation.

Planning staff described the site as wooded and adjacently bounded by single-family neighborhoods. The applicant proposed rezoning from A-1 to R-5AC to allow up to 26 single-family homes with a single access point on Shady Grove Road, a stormwater basin (BMP) at the northeast corner of the parcel and swales along the northern and eastern property lines. Staff said the proposal generally matched the site's 2026 comprehensive-plan designation of Urban Residential and that the planning commission had recommended approval following community meetings.

Residents who spoke at the public hearing asked the board to require stronger protections. Thomas George, a Mason Park Way resident and homeowners-association board member, said the neighborhood already has a nearby detention pond that produces persistent ponding near a playground; he urged the applicant and staff to account for seepage and to place the basin farther from adjacent backyards. He also requested additional tree buffering of 8 to 10 feet (and, later in the hearing, a 25-foot buffer recommendation for properties touching the BMP) and asked the board to reexamine the speed limit on the stretch from Pouncey Tract to Twin Hickory Road.

Another resident, Sean Law, told the board the subject property functions like a wetland after rain and urged preservation of a 25-foot mature-tree buffer around the proposed basin, citing the trees' contribution to infiltration and neighborhood stability. Staff and the applicant told the board the basin size and a DPW-required 20-foot maintenance easement around the BMP will constrain the ability to preserve trees in all locations, but the developer said it will coordinate with Public Works (DPW) and attempt to protect trees where feasible; the applicant also offered to plant evergreens or other screening where preservation is not possible.

Applicant representative said they reduced proposed density from the 61 units that the comprehensive plan allowed to 26 homes, proffered sidewalks, fencing around the basin and potential landscape mitigation, and worked with traffic staff on the Shady Grove access. Planning staff cautioned that final tree-preservation decisions will be made during plan review and engineering once final grading and basin dimensions are established.

Supervisor Rountree moved to defer the rezoning to the board's May 13 meeting; the motion was seconded and carried. The board directed staff and the applicant to continue outreach with neighbors and for the applicant to coordinate tree-preservation and DPW easement details prior to the board's May 13 decision.

","Henrico supervisors deferred a conditional rezoning by Shell Brothers for a nine-acre, up-to-26-home neighborhood to May 13 after residents pressed for larger tree buffers, stormwater protections and traffic/sight-line changes.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6610429,"Henrico supervisors approve budget, taxes and several rezonings; multiple rezoning decisions deferred",76,12297000,12373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2&start=12297&end=12373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904477-ff552ee3e455150742e5afb3b49b3be2/thumbnail_12297000.jpg","/articles/6610429/Henrico-County/Virginia/Henrico-supervisors-approve-budget-taxes-and-several-rezonings-multiple-rezoning-decisions-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610429-0307a85c46cf3da33a69b03339fa6c95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032189&Signature=ni0hJGUxjTLTYBNmFHJF5kagU01uBN4tMP8rxgOZ6J6T9yNncmcMmBxPH5JGKO761Zpk3njFZC~uzNmnJDZdpqDh8bardUrm3NxVWiZBV1ulGuvhMfT7CGXxFjPr9V-b1fq4r9JwBBn071hBI9k~8KWztcwwtx~RfDsCgpBcWp96b44L5InUAWdLjCQl9BVeKGg16SHH1hQndLuvfxhinrpRsuXe392BFcrzxkf3WHuS-~lsoq-YcqUKdjAaTUDCki8Gr7Sy9ZFGxKnGVIa6i400AHkRqYRJ62kXVO7sfHf-OP~tFT2LfCVKKI0HAEwh10VrS4-ESkpIBnyAcndtbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henrico County officials on April 8 adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget, lowered the real estate tax rate and set personal-property levies; approved multiple conditional rezonings and a water and sewer rate ordinance; and deferred decisions on two contested rezonings to the board's May 13 meeting.

The board approved the substitute FY26 budget resolution that moves one staff position from general government to the county's Sports and Entertainment Authority and then adopted the full operating and capital plan. The board also set the 2025 real estate tax rate at $0.83 per $100 assessed value (a two-cent reduction from 2024) and approved the proposed calendar-2025 personal property and machinery-and-tools tax rates, including a general personal-property rate of $3.35 per $100 (a 15-cent decrease from 2024).

In land-use decisions, the board approved a conditional rezoning to allow a two-story, 34,000-square-foot medical office building for Virginia Physicians for Women on Monument Avenue and approved a conditional rezoning for AIM Transportation LLC to relocate a truck rental and maintenance facility, with proffers limiting certain uses and materials. The board approved a county-owned parcel's conditional rezoning to allow an inpatient medical treatment facility (a voluntary, secure detox facility to be operated by a third party) and accepted proffers and site security measures described in the staff report.

Two rezoning requests drawing substantial neighborhood opposition were deferred for further review and outreach. The board deferred a conditional rezoning proposed by Shell Brothers for a roughly 9-acre single-family residential development (the board moved the Shell Brothers request to the May 13 meeting at the board's request) after neighbors raised stormwater, tree-preservation and sight-line concerns. The board also deferred a conditional rezoning for a proposed 100,000-square-foot warehouse near Monahan Road; board members asked staff and the applicant to do additional outreach with area residents and review potential impacts.

Other formal actions on the consent and public agenda included accepting a resignation from the Housing Advisory Commission, adopting the 2025 Emergency Operations Plan, approving several quick-claim and right-of-way vacation requests tied to redevelopment and tech park parcels, and introducing ordinances to authorize employee bonuses (advertised for May 13 public hearing).

Several motions were recorded as unanimous or with standard voice votes; where a named roll-call was not recorded the minutes reflect the board's voice vote outcome.

Votes at a glance
- FY 2026 annual operating and capital budget: approved (substitute resolution adopted moving one staff position to Sports & Entertainment Authority). Motion: Cooper (mover); Nelson (second). Outcome: approved.
- Real estate tax levy (calendar 2025) at $0.83 per $100: approved. Motion: Cooper (mover); Rogus (second). Outcome: approved.
- Personal property and machinery-and-tools tax levies (calendar 2025): approved (general personal property rate $3.35 per $100). Motion: Rountree (mover); Rogus (second). Outcome: approved.
- REZ (Henrico County Economic Development Authority) to allow an inpatient medical treatment facility (detox), proffers dated 02/26/2025: approved. Motion: Nelson (mover); Cooper (second). Outcome: approved.
- REZ (VPFW Monument MOB Investors LLC) to B-2C for a 34,000-sq.-ft. medical office building (Monument Ave): approved with proffers dated 03/25/2025. Motion: Chair (mover); Rogus (second). Outcome: approved.
- REZ (AIM Transportation LLC) to M-1C to relocate truck rental/maintenance facility (with revised proffers dated 04/08/2025): approved. Motion: Cooper (mover); Nelson (second). Outcome: approved.
- REZ (Shell Brothers, 9 acres R-5AC for up to 26 homes, Pounds Tract/Shady Grove Rd): deferred to 05/13/2025 at board request. Motion: Rountree (mover); Rogus (second). Outcome: deferred.
- REZ (Harsh Thacker / Dorado Capital LLC, 17.5 acres to M-1C for 100,000-sq.-ft. warehouse): deferred to 05/13/2025 (decision only) at board request after community comments and applicant changes. Motion: Nelson (mover); Rogus (second). Outcome: deferred.
- Rezoning/proffer amendment requests (multiple other items): several were deferred or withdrawn by applicants; see official minutes for itemized agenda numbers.
- Ordinance to increase bi-monthly water and sewer service and volume charges (effective July 1): introduced at public hearing and acted on by the board during the meeting. The board record shows a motion and second following the public hearing; the ordinance supports operating, debt-service and capital needs cited by staff.

Why this matters
The package of actions adopts a major budget that funds county operations for FY26 while reducing the residential real-estate tax rate and lowering personal-property rates. The board also moved forward on infrastructure financing (including water and sewer rate adjustments) and continues to balance growth-driven rezonings with neighborhood preservation concerns; two contested rezonings were deferred to give the board more time to review engineering, stormwater and tree-preservation options.

What's next
Deferred rezonings will return to the May 13 board meeting for decision; the board scheduled public hearings on introduced ordinances for May 13 where required. Residents with questions about specific items were directed to planning and public utilities staff for follow-up.

","At its April 8 meeting the Henrico County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal 2026 budget and tax levies, approved several rezonings and utility and tax ordinances, and deferred decisions on two contested rezoning requests to May 13.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Henrico board backs water and sewer rate increases; staff cites infrastructure and resilience needs amid public concern over fluoridation and costs

Board approves conditional rezoning for county-owned inpatient treatment center; Pyramid Healthcare to operate detox facility

Residents oppose Monahan Road warehouse; board defers Dorado Capital rezoning for further outreach

Board defers Shell Brothers residential rezoning after neighbors raise stormwater and tree-preservation concerns

Henrico supervisors approve budget, taxes and several rezonings; multiple rezoning decisions deferred